Is there a database anywhere that tracks total number of IL-days for each pitching staff over the course of several seasons?
I have felt that one reason the Brewers stockpile arms isn't necessarily because it is a fait accompli that guys will lose time for UCL surgeries, Thoracic-outlet, or shoulder-stuff. But ALSO to PREVENT those long-term injuries by being really cautious and giving guys weeks throughout each season to better recover from inflammation. Without looking at data, it doesn't seem like the Brewers have had to face too many season-ending injuries to pitchers, aside from Woody.
With all of the depth they have, starting Woody and/or Priester on the IL has the dual purpose of seeing what they have with the young guys. I think they like to see early whom they can count on later in the season when other guys take their stints on the IL. IF Woody is going to be full-bore by September, I would imagine we'd want him to stay under 120 IPs or so by then.
No one wants a repeat of the opening series of 2025, when they got torpedoed by the Yankees, but 97-wins later, perhaps slow-playing the season wasn't the worst idea. Granted, the division, and the NL generally, looks really tough, so expecting a league-best win total, or walking to a division-title would be folly.